The starter gear is actually driven by a one-way "sprag" clutch. These
rollers are part of that clutch. They work by jamming and driving the
gear when the starter motor turns. Then, when the engine starts, it
allows the gear to freewheel so it can retract without over speeding the
starter motor.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Sudhir Desai
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 7:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 3-4 needle bearing style pins fall out of starter area when I
removed the starter?

I have attached a picture of the pin/needle bearing.

I removed the starter and found 3-4 of these trapped on the starter
"shelf" (the bottom of the starter hole). Any clue as to what they
are?

Thanks in advance.
Sudhir